Rogers’ epiphany to return to the game came when he spoke to a group of about 500 kids at the Nike Be True LGBT Youth Forum in Portland in April.

He told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview about his return: “I seriously felt like a coward. These kids are standing up for themselves and changing the world, and I’m 25, I have a platform and a voice to be a role model. How much of a coward was I to not step up to the plate?”

Now an icon for gay rights in football, Rogers has now written an open letter to his 14-year-old self in which he has addressed his sexuality whilst going through puberty. Rogers posted his letter on ESPN.

Crucially, Robbie told his young self: “You’re not damned or going to hell. You didn’t have a choice in this. But you do have a purpose in life, just as everyone does.”